Press Release 20100310-01
March 10, 2010

BAGHDAD – During two separate joint security operations conducted in northern Iraq to disrupt AQI operations and prevent future attacks by the terrorist group, Iraqi Police captured four, suspected al-Qaeda in Iraq members today, two of whom are alleged AQI leaders for the central Diyala Province and Kirkuk regions.

Both operations were conducted in accordance with the Security Agreement and in coordination with the Iraqi government.

In Bayji, located approximately 101 km southwest of Kirkuk, Iraqi Police and U.S. advisors searched three residential buildings for a suspected AQI leader for central Diyala Province who is believed to recruit and train new AQI fighters, stage attacks in the region and facilitate the illegal transport of weapons into Iraq from other countries.

As the security team approached the first building to be searched, two suspects ran out of the building and were later apprehended without incident.

After conducting preliminary questioning and examining the evidence collected during the operation, Iraqi Police identified and arrested the warranted AQI leader and two suspected criminal associates.

During a second security operation taking place in a rural area located approximately 76 km southwest of Kirkuk, Iraqi police and U.S. advisors searched a building for a suspected leader of AQI for the Kirkuk region who is believed to be responsible for ordering assassinations of government employees in order to disrupt the March 7 elections.

Information and evidence gathered at the scene led Iraqi Police to identify and arrest the warranted AQI leader.

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